Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

mramoeba · 30 October 2013 at 3:00PM

iammumtoone wrote: »

I have never heard of rosehip vinegar, I will give it a go as seen loads of rosehips around (I was wondering if there was anything I could do with them). What type of vinegar did you use? I have some apple cider vinegar that needs using up, will that be ok?

Apple cider vinegar is ideal. I have also tried with white balsamic this year but i haven't tasted it yet. You can filter the final vinegar through a coffee filter if you want it to be perfectly clear. I wonder if you could make rose hip vodka?? Might have a google...

miss_empty_piggy · 30 October 2013 at 7:35PM

luxor4t wrote: »

How about a 'flat' tree shape using card or paper on the wall and attaching decs - all the bling but takes up little space?

My mum made a broomhandle and coat hanger tree in the 70s, as she didn't want a real tree but would not pay for an imitation tree.

Ooh both sound good - what great ideas. Thanks x :T

[Deleted User] · 30 October 2013 at 8:11PM

Most of my Christmas shopping now done. Sis has gone part time after having her second baby and she is struggling with lower income so we agreed to stick to a lower budget this year between us and our OHs. It is actually a nice relief for both of us and I know she has done this with several friends too.

Really pleased I managed to find something for my Dad who is a nightmare to buy for - got him a gillet for £25 on sale in a country store as he likes country sports.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth · 31 October 2013 at 7:06PM

As propmised, the Chrimbo Pud Recipe

You need to gets your fruit brewing in whisky and sugars today, ready for baking/steaming in two weeks time

Xmas Puds
for a 2 pint bowl

4oz SR Flour
Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Nutm,eg
1/2 tsp Mixed Spice
3 oz Butter
4oz Raisins
4oz Sultana
4oz Currants
3oz Brown sugar
2 tbs dripping of Black Treacle
2 oz Mixed Peel and things
1/2 Lemon and rind, grated
2 medium eggs
Whisky to smooth.

Mix dry ingredients with fingers
Add eggs
Frisk with fork
Add coins if you wish

Steam for 8 hours. (If you aint got a stgeamer, TUFF)
Steam on day for 2 hours. Serve for 5 O'clock with Pirate sauce.

Always flame in Whisky. Sprinkle pud with icing sugar. Douse in whisky. Torch as necessary.

Pirate sauce, for the Pud
Knob of butter, melted on Bai Marie (Look it up!) Cup in hot water!!!
Add three TBSP of Cornflour
Generous drops of Manilla Essence
3 tsp brown sugar
Add milk to roo paste
Boil pint of milk on stove, add to roo. Boil, with whisky to taste

Xmas Cake

12 oz Plain Floir
1 tsp Mixed spice
4 oz Ground Almonds
4 medium eggs
1/2 pint milk whisky mix
8 oz butter
8 oz brown sugar
8 oz Currants
8 oz Sultanas
8 oz raisins
4 oz of ruff chopped cherries
4 oz mixed peel

Cream Butter and sugar
Sieve in dry ingredients
Add eggs
Add whisky milk

Grease decent pan

Cook at 300F (150C) COOOOOOOOL
for 4 hours, and yer house will smell like a brewery
Ice.

Serve with a glass of wobbleade.

USE WHISKY

carlamarie_2 · 9 November 2013 at 5:31PM

Looks a good recipe BoP!
I told the in laws I would make me a christmas cake this year, however it's going to have to go on the back burner for next year. M+S will be my saviour!

I can't believe how far this thread has dropped, although I don't post much on it (as my preparations are really far behind this year) but enjoy reading how you are all getting on!

Anyway, a quick update from me......
I have ds1 and ds2 main presents done and ds1s stocking too.
Still need to get the rest of dds presents, half of dds stocking all of ds2s stocking and they all need new pjs and cups/mugs (for their snowman soup

)for their Christmas Eve hampers.

Dh and I aren't getting each other presents this year as we just can't afford it, which is sad but well make up for it next year

My brother (who is furiously saving for a mortage) and I have discussed christmas and decided to just buy each other's kids a selection box, instead of the usual £20 gift each.

I am thinking of telling my dad, his gf and my little brother that I just can't afford presents this year. The truth is, I really am struggling and feel awful considering doing this. But on the other hand, neither me, my hubby or my kids have received gifts from my dad for the past 4 Christmases.

But that still leaves my mum, stepdad, nana (done), older niece and nephew (thinking of using my £40 from morrisons that they are doing to get them itunes vouchers), friends x2 (1half done) and best friends dd. and also mother (1 gift bought for her)and father in law.

It doesn't look so bad now I've wrote it down!
I also have my older niece and nephews birthdays in December but if I don't give gifts to my little brother, my nephew can have the present I bought him For his birthday. So only my niece to go

Sorry for the essay, sometimes I start typing and I just can't stop:rotfl:

Chris25 · 9 November 2013 at 6:36PM

carlamarie - will there be any bad feeling in the family if your dad, his gf & your younger brother find out that others will be receiving presents? I know you say you haven't had anything from your dad (& presumeably his gf too), but will you feel awful - if so, you could perhaps make some biscuits, wrap them nicely & explain that, this year, you just can't afford it but didn't want them to feel left out.

It's your Christmas too - no sense in making yourself upset or worrying about others and not enjoying it yourself.

Christmas can be such a pain - I sometimes felt I was 'treading on eggs' trying to pacify, not only mine, but my husband's family too.

pixnmix_2 · 9 November 2013 at 8:28PM

Carlamarie, I totally understand what you mean about the christmas present dilemma. I went through the same thing years ago when my kids were small. So we made the decision mot to buy for adults in the family, just the kids - our own, nieces, nephews etc and small token presents (usually made by the children) for the parentals,. Turned out that the other adult family members felt the same but had been too embarrassed to say anything before we did. The family rule still applies - no presents for adults and it really works. A win-win

carlamarie_2 · 9 November 2013 at 9:34PM

Thanks for the replies, I don't think they're will be any bad blood if I don't give them gifts. We haven't had presents from my dad because he hasn't had the money to give us anything, all his funds have gone on my little brother (which I totally understand and wouldn't begrudge him anything). But because of this, my dad should understand the situation we are in.
I think I may just go with your suggestion chris and maybe bake a selection of treats (biscuits, fudge etc). Then at least I will feel better about it.

pixnmix we already have that rule with my older brother and sister. I got married in December 2008 and money was tight for us all as obviously i had a wedding to pay for and they had outfits and they gave me money in the run up towards my wedding as our gift, as well as the christmas gifts and multiple December birthdays in the family to pay for.
So we decided, for that year to just buy the kids, they have two each and I have three. It was really refreshing not having to think of gifts and get the money for them and we usually resorted to the generic gift sets for each other and our partners. Which was always gratefully received, but not always wanted.
Anyhow after that first year we decided to stick with it and now we just get each other birthday gifts.
We put a lot more thought into our gifts to each other because of this

IrishRose12 · 10 November 2013 at 1:11PM

Carlamarie sorry to hear of your predicament on the present situation, and I know you say there won't be any bad feeling, but could you not buy a tin of sweets or biscuits even? There is so much you can get these days for under £10 (even £5) and if you are buying for nephews birthdays, spending £20 on your older niece and nephew for Christmas, buying friend's children etc, Could you not cut back on what hey are getting and buy your dad and little brother something instead? You even say that you'd give your little brother's present to your nephew for his birthday instead. So there's another present off your list of you don't give it to your nephew

I know it's not all about giving presents at Christmas etc, and it's not all about giving to receive, but if you're buying everyone else in your family, aswell as friends, surely you could find something cheap for your dad and his family.
Places like Home Bargains, Wilkos etc are brilliant for presents for kids and Adults and you can get something big, enjoyable and decent for £5 or under, Argos do great deal on toys for kids at 2 for £15 and 2 for £20.
Asda also do similar offers at 2 for £10 and 2 for £20.
I myself am struggling this year for all the gifts I am buying, but I have been lucky enough to buy everything so far at discount, be it on Amazon, Argos, and Home Bargains have been my best friend this year lol.
No matter how big or small the gift is, it will be appreciated by whoever receives it, and it's the thought that counts at the end of the day. Each gift we all give and receive will either be forgotten about/eaten or thrown away, but the though will always be there

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth · 10 November 2013 at 2:24PM

Bingo, and she is naked!

She is currently sipping Orange Juiced whisky. I will dress her in a week!

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Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

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